23 miles

The days are starting to get a little monotonous. Lots of hiking. I try to go as long as I can without listening to music or podcasts or anything and I’ve finally given in after 25 days. There’s only so much you can think about out here before you’re only left with repeating the one line of a song that you know over and over before it drives you crazy. It’s crazy how much that listening to music helps though. The times passes quicker, it gets you up the tough climbs and is just pure entertainment.

We did 23 miles today because Max wanted to push himself and see if he could set a new PR for himself. This kid can hike. He was out before 8 and finished by 4:30. Two Tone and I didn’t roll in until around 6 because there was a “hostel” that sold pizza and beer only 100 yards off trail and of course we stopped in for lunch.

The reason I put hostel in quotes is because this place can only be called a hostel in the loosest terms. It’s basically a converted shed with 6 bunks, a shower, and a toaster oven. I wouldn’t have stayed there but it was a nice reprieve from the rain today and a beer or two mid hike always puts a little pep in my step.

Camping at Hogback Ridge Shelter tonight. Barely got away with cowboy camping last night. Luckily I was under some trees or else I would’ve gotten rained on. Tent is going up tonight though as it’s almost guaranteed to rain